Wordless Wednesday: Gin + Tonic

My New Espresso Pot

One thing I miss the most about working is my weekly - ok, fine, near-daily - coffee shop americano or latte. There's just something about that extra richness espresso lends that turns a cup into a ritual.

I first heard about Bialetti espresso pots on Smitten Kitchen. Her dilemma of the daily expense for good coffee stuck with me and when I saw a display of the pots at the mall a month or so ago, I dragged Pat over to take a look. I told him I wanted one for my birthday; the 6-shot size should do. Two days later: there's my pot! Sneaky Pat ordered it for me on Amazon and had it delivered. (Romantic or tired of making early weekend morning Starbucks runs? I'll let you decide.) Now I get to enjoy delicious coffee from the comfort of my own kitchen!

It couldn't be easier: fill the bottom with water, fill the strainer with espresso grinds and let it percolate over a low flame. This size of pot - 6 shots - is perfect for 2 americanos. If I'm making one mug, I only fill the strainer halfway with grinds.

Add a bit of cream and there's really nothing better first thing in the morning... or late morning... or early afternoon...

Speaking of early afternoon coffee... I need to try making an iced americano immediately!  

Spring Tulips

We've barely had a winter this year, so I've been feeling in the "spring mood" much earlier than usual. So I rearranged a few things, pulled out a few spring pieces and picked up some gorgeous tulips at the grocery store. Here are the results:

It was a 3 for $20 at Metro, so I rearranged the pink and white-with-a-pink-stripe tulips and the purple-pink filler into two separate bouquets. The one on the sideboard went into a simple glass vase, the other went into the vintage brown pitcher gramma gave me. They make me smile every time they catch my eye!

I'll show you the rest of my spring decor tomorrow.

The Black Keys

One of my favourite bands is The Black Keys and they had a concert in Toronto last night. Of course Pat and I went! It was amazing - they played so many great songs and I danced away to the whole set! My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer!! Here are a few photos from the evening:

Heidi Braids

Right now, this is my favourite way to do my hair. I wash my hair every second day, so on "wash days", my hair is down and straight (and half air-dried). On "off days", I usually just pull it back into a ponytail (or half ponytail), since that's the quickest and easiest way to deal with it. But sometimes, I put in an extra five to ten minutes and braid it. This is my favourite braid:

To achieve this look, I separate my hair in two sections (based on my usual side part). Then I do two rounds of a french braid on one side (i.e. take the top half and separate in three - left over middle, right over middle - pick up a third of what's left and cross over then repeat for the other two sections, leaving no hair loose). As soon as all my hair is incorporated, I finish braiding, pulling straight up / over my head so that the braid is in the right position for the Heidi braids. I usually use one bobby pin to hold the braid on top of my head before working on the other side in the same manner. Then it's just a matter of pinning the braids so that the ends are completely hidden under the opposite braid. A coating of hairspray keeps everything in place.  

I feel so "put-together" and cute with this hair! It's perfect for a night out or special occasion yet still completely appropriate for work. I've lost count on how many compliments and "how do you do that?" questions I've received when sporting this do! LOVE! 

Coffee Table Glass

Over Easter my brother had a surprise for us - he finally brought in the template and had the glass cut for our coffee tables (part of our Christmas gift from my parents, but Matt had the glass cut since he works next to a glass cutting company). It looks SO nice:

The cute little chicken was an Easter gift from my sister-in-law.

Now if only we had a place for this gorgeous piece of furniture! As it is, it's sitting behind our couch... not ideal, but it works for now. It will certainly be getting a place of honour when we eventually get a bigger place! 

Jim Shore Basket of Flowers

I love Jim Shore. The intricately carved designs on his pieces are absolutely gorgeous. I have many winter and Christmas ornaments of his (including my nativity set and a few santas and snowmen), but until my trip to Calgary, I didn't have any "everyday" pieces.

Mom presented me with this basket of flowers as a thank you for bringing her to Calgary with me. It's the August basket, featuring August's flower (gladiolus) and birthstone (peridot). It's also a trinket box that opens up to reveal a tiny compartment... not sure what I'll hide in there, but it looks pretty cute on my shelf as it is (especially sitting next to that fun patterned jug I found at Target)!

Now I'm going to have to look around the Jim Shore website to see what other everyday pieces I can find!

2013 In Review: Photos and Sketchbook Pages

Now, I must admit - these photos (and photos of sketchbook pages) were chosen directly from my Flickr account. That means they are only part of the photos and sketchbook pages I've posted on this blog. There are many more to choose from - but honestly, just the thought of going through them all exhausts me completely. So here are my favourites that are easiest at hand! 

Favourite Photos 

Hyacinth - February 4

She Background - February 25

Window Garden - April 23

Bow River - May 15

Drumheller - May 20

Humber Arboretum - July 14

October Sunrise - October 27

Winter in Verner - December 26

Favourite Sketchbook Pages

Goddess, Sketchbook Collaboration - January 12

Grow - January 26

You Make Me Smile - February 14

She Art Sketches - February 19

Mr. & Mrs. Lapin - March 18

Ducklings - March 21

Eggs - April 14

Playing with Gelatos - May 7

July 9 - Feel Good

Sunset Fields - July 15

Experiments in White - August 25

Using Up Paint - September 29

Colourful Instincts - October 1

Positively Serious - October 27